As You See It, Nov. 4, 2012: Measure O should be voted down

The only two arguments that have been put forth against Measure P are:

1) The measure involves too much cost.

2) The City Council would likely allow for a vote on desal by the voters in the future.

First, there has been $14 million spent to merely "investigate" desal's viability. Complaining about the cost of having Measure P on the ballot is almost silly. And what price do you put on democracy?

Second, absolutely no one can predict what a simple majority of the incoming newly elected council members might do regarding desal. The current council passed an ordinance for city residents to be able to vote on desal. An ordinance is NOT a guarantee for future voting rights. Measure P guarantees that no matter who gets elected to the council, you will have the right to vote on desal.

Cherie Bobbe, Aptos

Candidate has it wrong on Felton water system

Duane Davis, a candidate for the Lompico Water District board of directors, began his recent campaign flier with a statement that completely misrepresents how Felton became part of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District in 2008. He mistakenly asserts that the SLVWD paid $10.5 million to Cal American Water to buy the Felton water system. Part of his platform appears to be that Lompico Water District could do the same thing and get the SLVWD to pay Lompico for their water system.

As county auditor-controller, I was involved in structuring the bonds that allowed Felton to merge with SLVWD. It was the citizens of Felton, not the SLVWD, who bought their water system back from Cal American Water through the issuance municipal bonds, and the citizens of Felton who continue to pay the bonded debt service every year on their property tax bills. These are the facts.

Mary Jo Walker, Felton

Where are the women?

An old boys political group recently littered our porches with door-hanger propaganda. Once again, for the second election season in a row, they discarded strong, qualified progressive women from their narrow-minded voting guide.

You should know about these widely endorsed, powerful women leaders:

Richelle Noroyan, Democratic Party leader since college; past chair of the local Democratic Party, city commissioner.

Pamela Comstock, A commissioner for Prevention of Violence Against Women, advocate for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

Cece Pinheiro, Former city school board member, executive director of Special Parents Information Network, a community nonprofit for families with special-needs kids.

Cynthia Mathews, founder of Planned Parenthood, Santa Cruz, former four-term City Council member, local Democratic Party committee member.

Each of these unique and qualified women is running for Santa Cruz City Council. Each cares about our city and deserves your consideration before you vote.

Judy Warner, president, Democratic Women's Club of Santa Cruz County

Hammer not truthful about SF State degree

I'm perplexed by the Sentinel's coverage of the 5th District supervisor's race. You managed to print two letters to the editor that allude to a so-called "smear flier" aimed at candidate Eric Hammer. It is not surprising that the two letter writers failed to mention the specifics of the flier -- that being that Mr. Hammer has, by his own admission, flat-out lied about having a bachelor's in science from San Francisco State. What is astoundingly surprising is that your paper has not run a single story about that lie. Don't you think your readership would be interested in which candidate is telling the truth and which candidate is lying? Perhaps equally perplexing is the fact that the Sentinel has yet to mention that thousands of dollars spent in support of Mr. Hammer comes from Mega-PACS -- political action committees -- headquartered outside of the 5th Supervisorial District.

Ken Kannegaard, Scotts Valley

Bottom line: McPherson was a Republican

Since Bruce McPherson used my name six times in his "hit mailer" about Eric Hammer, I'd like to respond.

Yes, I pasted papers on McPherson signs. I sent McPherson an apology, plus the money he requested for damages. McPherson then misquoted and distorted my apology letter in his mailer. He said I refute the truthfulness of Hammer's statements, but I do not.

Back to my original point. For 20 years, up until a few months ago, McPherson was comfortable operating as a leader in the Republican Party of Gingrich, Bush, Schwarzenegger, and Romney and Ryan.

Alexander Gaguine, Santa Cruz

Don't be short-sighted: Vote Yes on Measure P

In a Financial Times story on Nov. 1, "Climate change back on the agenda," Andrew Cuomo says of Hurricane Sandy, 'For us to say this is once-in-a-generation, that it's not going to happen again, as elected officials that would be short-sighted.'

Looking at the prospect of a high-tech, energy-intensive desalination factory for Santa Cruz I say, 'We can't let our elected officials be short-sighted either.'

Measure P guarantees that Santa Cruz voters have a say in whether Santa Cruz will build a desalination plant. It helps Santa Cruz to bring the issue of long-term drought protection into full public discussion and decision making.

Christy Kirben, Santa Cruz

Say no to Measure O

After meeting with the Sentinel editorial Board, I am extremely disappointed the board did not at least remain neutral on Measure O and ask the citizens of Capitola to think hard before giving the city any more of their retirement income or their diminishing paychecks. The Sentinel, too, is shrinking and must adjust to the new economic reality. Why shouldn't city governments do the same?

We all know the Sentinel's success as a company would be assured if it just raised the price of a subscription to support its employees' retirement at age 50 with 90 percent of their income, guaranteed them a cost of living increase each year, and health care for life. Once it had taken care of the employees, then it could determine if there was enough money to print the newspaper and have it delivered. This is exactly the way the City Council runs Capitola.

As you and Ms. Cirillo pointed out, we get the government we elect and all council members and candidates support this sales tax increase. Council members are like selfish, demanding children wanting toys and candy first. We get streets and sidewalks only if we raise their allowance and there is still no guarantee how they will spend our money. The citizens as good parents need to say NO on Measure O.

We can support council members and candidates without supporting their uncontrolled spending.

Sandy Erickson, Capitola

McPherson is acting nasty

In the closing days of the primary election Bruce McPherson supporters tried to paint Eric Hammer as a "bully." That didn't work so they've decided to step up their attacks. McPherson's paid campaign chief, Steve Reed, publicly criticized the Valley Women's Club, claiming they were biased and unfair in their role hosting a public forum. Then he accused local businesswoman and former School Board Trustee Barbara Sprenger, along with a host of FLOW organizers, of telling lies.

Reed and other paid McPherson minions have continued their personal attacks, lately casting aspersions on the Hammer family including his mother, Mary. Yesterday, yet another hit piece of McPherson junk mail showed up attacking Hammer's character.

In an earlier letter of support for Hammer, I expressed my respect for Mr. McPherson and his service to the community but the lengths he apparently will go to win this election have shown me a side of the man I had not seen.

I'm generally a proponent of recycling; however when, it comes to this politician, the compost heap seems a more appropriate re-use. I'm casting my vote for Eric Hammer but also against Bruce McPherson.

Jim Coffis, Ben Lomond

Measure L needs your support

Measure L is a detailed and clear plan to address the most urgent facilities needs at our local schools.

The process started a year and a half ago. Our schools conducted an extensive facilities assessment to determine their needs. A Facility Advisory Committee, made up of local Aptos and Watsonville community members, was created to help review the facilities needs. I was one of these members. Measure L is the result of extensive input from parents, teachers, business leaders, seniors and community members.

The state made significant cuts to our schools, cutting $18 million each year and eliminating our maintenance funding entirely. We cannot rely on the state to provide the funding our schools need.

Measure L will make sure our classrooms and school buildings are safe for each and every student. Without this measure, our schools will continue to deteriorate.

Join me in voting yes on Measure L.

Bill Beecher, Aptos

Hammer a supporter of women

I was extremely pleased to learn that the Santa Cruz County Women's Commission asked the Board of Supervisors to direct every county department to analyze the impact on women of its budgets, policies and services. Once the analysis is complete, the board will need to consider if there are inequities that need to be addressed, and I want Eric Hammer to be on the board when this comes up!

Eric understands the issues impacting women in this county. He has listened to the thousands of people with whom he has personally connected during the campaign and learned of crime, economic inequities, and inadequate health care. He knows the importance of the county's 2011 SOWAG Report (Status of Women and Girls) and of addressing the concerns it presents.

Because of his knowledge and keen awareness, he will help assure significant improvements for women and girls in our county. Vote him in!